Which colleges in Virginia are toughest to get into?

The University of Virginia (UVA) stands as Virginia's most selective public university, with an acceptance rate typically hovering around 23%. UVA's competitive admissions process considers not only strong academic credentials but also seeks students who demonstrate leadership and meaningful extracurricular involvement. Successful applicants generally present weighted GPAs above 4.0 and SAT scores in the 1330-1500 range.

William & Mary follows closely as the second most selective public university in Virginia, accepting approximately 37% of applicants. The historic institution maintains rigorous academic standards, typically admitting students with weighted GPAs above 3.9 and SAT scores between 1300-1480. Their holistic review process particularly values intellectual curiosity and community engagement.

Virginia Tech has become increasingly selective in recent years, with an acceptance rate around 65%. While not as competitive as UVA or William & Mary, Virginia Tech's engineering and architecture programs are particularly selective, often accepting fewer than 40% of applicants. Competitive applicants typically present weighted GPAs above 3.8 and SAT scores ranging from 1180-1390.

Among private institutions in Virginia, Washington and Lee University ranks as the most selective, with an acceptance rate near 19%. Richmond University also maintains highly selective admissions, accepting roughly 28% of applicants. Both schools seek students with exceptional academic achievements and significant leadership experiences.

Keep in mind that acceptance rates and requirements can vary significantly from year to year. The most competitive applicants to these selective Virginia schools typically take rigorous high school courses, maintain high GPAs, achieve strong standardized test scores, and demonstrate meaningful involvement outside the classroom.